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Well then, as has been said already, as a general rule the debt

should be discharged, but if in a particular case the giving

greatly preponderates as being either honourable or necessary, we

must be swayed by these considerations: I mean, in some cases the

requital of the obligation previously existing may not be equal;

suppose, for instance, that the original benefactor has conferred

a kindness on a good man, knowing him to be such, whereas this

said good man has to repay it believing him to be a scoundrel.